Floors Feel Bouncy

Floor joists whether they be solid wood engineered lumber like yours or even steel can deflect or bend under a given amount of weight and a given amount of span.

Floors feel bouncy.

Even structurally sound code compliant new floors can deflect or flex more than feels comfortable. Years ago while working as a carpenter i helped stiffen a bouncy floor by nailing a new 2 10 to each of the 2 10 joists that supported the floor. Majority of all gymnasium floors are hardwood and 95 of those are maple. Nail plywood cdx or bc to the underside of the floor joists.

A springy or spongy feeling could indicate a minor issue a major problem or no problem at all. Build a wall or place a beam under the joists. There are a variety of ways to stiffen a floor. Add a wall or beam.

The method or methods tom chooses depend as much on practicality as on effectiveness. At times there may be spongy floors that appear to slope or sag as well as being spongy. Homeowners can place a. Squeaking is one of the most prevalent complaints homeowners have about wood floors.

Reducing bounce on concrete subfloors requires preparation before the panels are installed. Tom s house was built in 1765 but bouncy floors aren t just an old house problem. Floor deflection is common in older homes because the floor joists often are smaller or are spaced farther apart than the joists in modern homes. It is time tested and traditional and is tops in performance and din sports flooring certification.

Of course new homes also can have bouncy floors if the joists are approaching the maximum spanning distance for the weight they are supporting. Then you ll need to add more support. In addition to the floor being bouncy or spongy you may see cracks in the tile or grout if it s a tile floor or hear a snapping or creaking sound if its a laminated type of floor. The concrete should be swept to remove any debris that can alter the flat surface.

No one likes the feel of a supposedly solid floor bouncing or sagging underfoot. The standard playing surface is urethane coated hardwood maple 2 1 4 wide by 25 32 thick has a variety of substrate and suspension systems for performance demands. If you take a 2x10 solid lumber floor joist that is spanning 16 feet and place a 94 pound sack of cement in mid span the floor joist will bend downwards a given distance. There are several factors that can make your floors squeak including seasonal changes in humidity levels and installation issues.